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This collection has access restrictions. For details, please see the restrictions.
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the FAQ section for more information.
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Collection Overview
| Size | 74.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 20,700 items) |
| Abstract | Clyde Edgerton is a writer and educator of Durham County, N.C. Literary material includes annotated and revised drafts, galleys, notes, and correspondence relating to Edgerton's novels Raney, Walking Across Egypt, The Floatplane Notebooks, Killer Diller, In Memory of Junior, Redeye: A Western, Where Trouble Sleeps, and Lunch at the Piccadilly, and his short stories and essays, as well as his notebooks and journals. Personal material includes correspondence with family members, friends, and military personnel during Edgerton's service, 1966-1971, as an Air Force pilot during the Vietnam War. There are also a few letters from his uncle Clem R. Warren as a soldier in World War I. Also included is correspondence with Edgerton's publisher Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, his editor Shannon Ravenel, agents, other literary figures, and fans. Among Edgerton's literary correspondents are Rick Bass, Allan Gurganus, Michael McFee, Lee Smith, Louis Rubin, and Doug Marlette. Also included are materials relating to the controversy surrounding Edgerton's departure from the teaching staff of Campbell University over objections to the portrayal of Free Will Baptists in Raney; subject files with materials about Edgerton's work and activities and about subjects that interested him; photographs; and materials relating to Edgerton's work in audio, film, video, and CD formats. |
| Creator | Edgerton, Clyde, 1944- |
| Language | English |
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Information For Users
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Subject Headings
The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
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Biographical Information
Clyde Edgerton was born in 1944 in Bethesda, N.C., a small community in east Durham County. He was an Air Force pilot, 1966-1971, serving in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, 1970-1971. Following the war, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning masters and Ph.D. degrees in English education.
Raney, his first novel, was published in 1985. The plot of the novel, revolving around the marriage of a Free Will Baptist and an Episcopalian, led to Edgerton's leaving the teaching staff at Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C., a Baptist institution. He later taught at Saint Andrew's College in Laurinburg, N.C.; at Duke University; at Millsaps College; and, beginning in 1998, at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Edgerton's other published novels include Walking Across Egypt (1987), The Floatplane Notebooks (1988), Killer Diller (1991), In Memory of Junior (1992), Redeye: A Western (1995), Where Trouble Sleeps (1997), and Lunch at the Piccadilly (2003). His short story "Changing Names" appeared in New Stories from the South: The Year's Best, 1990, a collection published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. Other works include Understanding the Floatplane (1987) and Cold Black Peas (1990), both published in limited editions by Mud Puppy Press.
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Scope and Content
Because materials relating to particular works or activities may be filed in several places in the collection, researchers are advised to scan through the inventory to find all the items that may be of interest to them. This scattering is sometimes the result of preserving Edgerton's original file order (as per arrangement outlines accompanying some of the materials). Check especially Series 5. Subject files and related correspondence in the January 1995 and March 1998 additions for items that relate to materials in other series.
Note that Edgerton's original folder titles have, for the most part, been maintained.
Original deposit (June 1992):
Literary material includes annotated and revised drafts, galleys, notes, and correspondence relating to Edgerton's novels Raney, Walking Across Egypt, The Floatplane Notebooks, and Killer Diller, and to his short stories and essays. Also included are notebooks and journals containing poetry, prose, and diary entries dating from the 1960s through the 1980s.
Personal material includes correspondence with family members, friends, and military personnel during Edgerton's service from 1966 to 1971 as an Air Force pilot during the Vietnam War, and correspondence with publishers, agents, other literary figures, and fans of his work dating from the late 1970s to 1990. There are also a few notebooks, journals, and logbooks of story submissions; folders containing creative writing notes, notes on writing, and journal entries; letters used as primary sources in The Floatplane Notebooks; Edgerton's military and school records; material about Edgerton's departure from the teaching staff of Campbell University over objections to the portrayal of Free Will Baptists in Raney; and a few photographs.
Addition of 1995:
Materials include multiple drafts, notes, and source materials for In Memory of Junior and Redeye: A Western and galley proofs for Killer Diller. Also included are subject files that contain items relating to his novels and other material; photographs; and materials relating to Edgerton's work in audio, film, video, and CD formats.
Note that the Series 5 subject files contain correspondence, notes, and other materials relating to The Floatplane Notebooks, In Memory of Junior , Killer Diller, Raney, Walking Across Egypt, and some short stories.
Addition of 1998:
Chiefly correspondence from 1966-1995; multiple drafts, notes, and source materials for Redeye: A Western and Where Trouble Sleeps ; and galley proofs for Where Trouble Sleeps. Also included are subject files that contain items relating to Edgerton's novels and other material; photographs; and materials relating to Edgerton's work in audio, film, video, and CD formats.
Note that the Series 5 subject files contain correspondence, notes, and other materials relating to The Floatplane Notebooks, In Memory of Junior , Killer Diller, Raney, Redeye: A Western, Walking Across Egypt, Where Trouble Sleeps , a book on baseball, and some short stories and journal articles.
Addition of 2004:
Materials include multiple drafts, notes. and source materials for Lunch at the Piccadilly, as well as materials relating to each of his previously published novels. The addition also includes notes and drafts for several unpublished novels and short stories, correspondence with authors, publishers and others, materials relating to the theatrical adaptation of Raney, and the movie adaptation of Walking Across Egypt.
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Series Quick Links
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Series 1. Correspondence, 1918-1992.
Note that correspondence relating to particular works is often filed with other materials about those works. Note that RESTRICTED items from this series have been filed in boxes 62 and 63. These items are closed until 15 September 2023.
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Subseries 1.1. 1918-1929.
Chiefly correspondence of Edgerton's uncle Clem R. Warren with his mother Henrietta Warren, as well as with other family members, during his service in the United States Army during World War I, 1918-1919. The letters discuss his experiences in Europe, an injury to his arm that required his discharge from the army, army life, neighborhood friends in the service, and family news.
| Folder 1 |
Correspondence, 1918-1929 #04616, Subseries: "1.1. 1918-1929. " Folder 1 |
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Subseries 1.2. 1960-1992 and undated.
Correspondence of Edgerton and his family, particularly his parents Truma Warren and Ernest C. Edgerton, and friends while he was a student at Southern High School in Durham, N.C.; an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1962-1966; and during his Air Force training and service as a combat pilot in Vietnam, 1966-1971. Early correspondence consists of letters describing college life, Air Force R.O.T.C., and family and neighborhood news. Letters during the summer of 1966 reflect Edgerton's participation in an Upward Bound program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In October 1966, Edgerton began his Air Force pilot training class at Laredo Air Force Base, Tex. He wrote his parents frequently, describing his trip to Texas, his classes, and his surroundings.
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Series 2. Journals and Other Writings.
Note that RESTRICTED items from Series 2.2. and 2.3. have been filed in box 64. These items are closed until 15 September 2023.
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Subseries 2.1. Journals, 1975-1991.
RESTRICTED: closed until 2023.
| Folder 116-120 |
Journals #04616, Subseries: "2.1. Journals, 1975-1991." Folder 116-120Folder 116Folder 117Folder 118Folder 119Folder 120 |
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Subseries 2.2. Other Writings, 1958-1983.
Notes, quotations, drafts of letters, stories, poems, and reminiscences chiefly from Edgerton's youth, army career, days in Key West, school years (high school, undergraduate, and graduate), and the period immediately following his father's death. Miscellaneous writings, 1958-1971, include drafts of poems and letters, reminiscences, quotes, diary entries, notes from others, and writings on flying. Writings, 1965-1973, are primarily quotations, an article on a python, and poems with revisions and notes.
A spiral bound notebook of writings, 1968-1972, contains poems, short fiction pieces, notes and ideas, and reminiscences, some pertaining to the army and flying. There is also a red spiral bound notebook containing "The Military Life--good and bad," ca. 1969-1972, containing quotations, reminiscences, and information about life at Yokata, Japan; a copy of Edgerton's Masters comprehensive exam; diary entries, 1969; notes from others; and drafts of letters to others. A third spiral bound notebook includes poems, quotations, and drafts of letters, 1970-1971. A fourth spiral bound notebook, ca. 1975-1980, includes class notes, notes on education, notes about Norman Mailer, a flyer on the Southern Baptist Convention, and song lyrics.
Clippings, notes about his experiences, and pages of a story draft make up Edgerton's "Key West" writings, ca. 1978-1980. There are also writings about the death of Ernest C. Edgerton, including a section of Raney about the death of her father. Also included are a notebook in which Edgerton recorded his dreams, 23 July 1980-20 August 1980; creative writing class and miscellaneous notes; and drafts of miscellaneous letters, speeches, writings, and songs.
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Subseries 2.3. Story Submission Record, 1979-1983.
List of titles of Edgerton's short stories, where and when they were submitted, and whether or not he received a response to the submission.
| Folder 133 |
Short story submission record #04616, Subseries: "2.3. Story Submission Record, 1979-1983." Folder 133 |
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Series 3. Literary Manuscripts.
Note that RESTRICTED folders from this series have been filed in box 65. These items are closed until 15 September 2023.
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Subseries 3.1. Novels.
Handwritten drafts, typescripts, photocopies, galleys, notes, and other versions of Raney, Walking Across Egypt, The Floatplane Notebooks, and Killer Diller . Many items contain corrections or revision by either or both Edgerton or Algonquin Books editor Shannon Ravenel.
Note that, with few exceptions, original folder titles have been maintained.
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Subseries 3.1.1. Raney.
Material relating to Raney includes an outline, a 27 June 1983 letter to Shannon Ravenel describing changes in the book, and extensive notes and revisions.
See also Series 5 in the January 1995 and the March 1998 additions and Series 1 in the March 1998 addition.
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Subseries 3.1.2. Walking Across Egypt.
Among the drafts and revisions of Walking Across Egypt are a typescript of a short story called "Cleaning up the Dishes," song lyrics, a chapter from Raney entitled "Yard Sale," and pieces of "The Last of the Hardheads: A Novel." These writings either relate to or became parts of Walking Across Egypt. Also included in these papers is a 21 June 1986letter from Shannon Ravenel.
See also Series 5 in the January 1995 and the March 1998 additions and Series 1 in the March 1998 addition.
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Subseries 3.1.3. The Floatplane Notebooks.
Included is correspondence with Shannon Ravenel, and outlines maps, graveyard plots, and copies of advertisements. Notes on Meredith include Edgerton's autobiographical notes from Texas, flight school, and the Vietnam war and pages from his 1966journal. Short stories used in the novel include "A Son's Father," "It Takes a Sorry Man...," "The Green Woods Wet," and "Enrico Review."
See also Series 5 in the January 1995 and the March 1998 additions and Series 1 in the March 1998 addition.
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Subseries 3.1.4. Killer Diller.
See also Series 3.1.4 and Series 5 in the January 1995 and the March 1998 additions.
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Subseries 3.2. Short Stories.
Drafts of Edgerton's short stories and articles, among them several versions of "Natural Suspension," Edgerton's first published short story; stories that were later incorporated into his novels; and articles about writing.
See also Series 3.2 and Series 5 in the January 1995 and the March 1998 additions.
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Series 4. Other Papers.
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Subseries 4.1. School and Military Papers, 1950-1972.
School papers include 32 report cards, 1950-1962; National Piano-Playing Auditions membership certificates, 1954-1959; a school literary magazine and paper; family and other photographs; and fliers.
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Subseries 4.2. Professional Papers, 1983-1991.
Professional papers include material relating to his conflict with Campbell University officials over his novel Raney, book reviews and articles, papers concerning the publication and promotion of his novels, and various writings by colleagues.The Campbell controversy material consists of notes on meetings; copies and drafts of correspondence with Norman Wiggins and other Campbell officials, supporters, and lawyers; and defense and other statements. There are also contracts, invoices, meeting minutes, sermons, and clippings.Book reviews and articles are chiefly biographical or concern subjects Edgerton found interesting, including information about Algonquin and other authors and an interview with Philip Roth. Other professional papers and promotional material consists of fliers for readings and performances, invoices, contracts, royalty statements, an Algonquin Books catalog, materials relating to a screenplay of Raney, handouts, memos, certificates, and samples of marketing and publicity material. There are also a few works by others, including stories, cartoons, and a term paper on Raney.
| Folder 430-433 |
Campbell University controversy #04616, Subseries: "4.2. Professional Papers, 1983-1991." Folder 430-433Folder 430Folder 431Folder 432Folder 433 |
| Folder 434 |
Heritage House controversy #04616, Subseries: "4.2. Professional Papers, 1983-1991." Folder 434 |
| Folder 435 |
Book reviews and articles #04616, Subseries: "4.2. Professional Papers, 1983-1991." Folder 435 |
| Folder 436-438 |
Professional papers and promotional material #04616, Subseries: "4.2. Professional Papers, 1983-1991." Folder 436-438Folder 436Folder 437Folder 438 |
| Folder 438 |
Photographs #04616, Subseries: "4.2. Professional Papers, 1983-1991." Folder 438 |
| Folder 439-441 |
Writings by others #04616, Subseries: "4.2. Professional Papers, 1983-1991." Folder 439-441Folder 439Folder 440Folder 441 |
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Additions after January 1995
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Addition of January 1995 (Acc. 95009)
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Subseries 3. Literary manuscripts.
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Subseries 3.1. Novels, ca. 1990-1994.
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Subseries 3.1.4. Killer Diller, ca. 1990.
| Folder 442 |
"Notes Thorpe" #04616, Subseries: "3.1.4. Killer Diller, ca. 1990." Folder 442 |
| Folder 443 |
Galley 1, 1 July 1990 #04616, Subseries: "3.1.4. Killer Diller, ca. 1990." Folder 443 |
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Subseries 3.1.5. In Memory of Junior, 1991-1992.
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Subseries 3.1.6. Redeye: A Western, 1992-1994.
See also photographs in Series 7. See also Series 3.1.6 and Series 5 in the March 1998 addition.
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Subseries 3.2. Short stories, ca. 1990.
Arrangement: alphabetical.
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Subseries 5. Subject Files and Related Correspondence, ca.
1980-1994.
Arrangement: alphabetical.
Note that RESTRICTED folders from this series have been filed in boxes 104-106. These materials are closed until April 2026. Note also that Edgerton's file names have, with few exceptions, been retained.
Files include letters from and about friends, colleagues, admirers, critics, and collaborators, as well as copies of contracts, documents, and adaptations of his works. Among Edgerton's literary correspondents are Rick Bass, Allan Gurganus, Michael McFee, and Lee Smith, as well as his publisher Louis Rubin and the cartoonist Doug Marlette. Among the adaptations are dramatizations of Edgerton's first four novels. Edgerton's novels have been the subject of much criticism (favorable and otherwise), and reviews, notices, and reader responses are included in these files. In response to most of the positive fan letters, Edgerton attached copies of his replies.